Special effects before the invention of cinema in the modern sense
Photogram by Beatrice Brandini
In Turin, inside the Mole Antonelliana, you can visit a magnificent museum that boasts a heritage of over 2,300,000 works including films, archive documents, photographs, equipment, posters, stage costumes…, one of the most precious collections on cinema and its history in the world, this place is: the National Cinema Museum of Turin.
Helmets from the film Stars Wars
Alien e Robocoop
The National Cinema Museum has always been committed to the census and cataloguing of cinematographic artifacts of inestimable value. Located inside the Mole Antonelliana, an architectural symbol of the city of Turin. Characterized by an upward spiral development, it is divided into several levels. From the floor dedicated to the Archaeology of Cinema where eight thematic areas show how some optical spectacles contributed to the birth of cinema. The Temple Hall dedicated to the great genres of cinema is spectacular.
Masks of Dracula and Frankenstein
Some glimpses of photos of Hollywood stars
The Mole Antonelliana was initially conceived as a Synagogue, designed by the architect Alessandro Antonelli in 1863, and was only completed in 1889. At the time, with its 167 metres of height, it was the tallest brick building in Europe. In 1961, during the celebrations for the Centenary of the Unification of Italy, the Panoramic Elevator was inaugurated, allowing you to go up to 85 meters high, where, once you reach your destination, you can admire the extraordinary view of the city of Turin.
Original desk from the film The Leopard
Some special effects from the early 1900s
Visiting this museum is one of the most exciting experiences you can have, first of all the entrance hall leaves you breathless, where an elevator goes up and seems to project itself into the sky, with incredibly realistic and at the same time fantastic statues and sets. You can discover, also through interactive multimedia experiences (my son tried them and was very happy!), the secrets hidden behind the camera and all the phases that involve the making and screening of a film.
Projections that create special effects as a sequence
Film posters
The idea of creating a cinema museum was the merit of the Piedmontese scholar of history and cinema Maria Adriana Prolo, in 1941. Over the years she became president of the Cinema Museum Association (1953), and, in 1956, she was appointed director for life of the museum.
Movie posters
Movie posters
From shadow theater to the first extraordinary magic lanterns, up to the special effects of our times and virtual reality.
Sketch of Rita Hayworth’s dress in Gilda and photo of the actress
Masks from the film Batman and Catwoman
Furthermore, since 1992, the year in which it became a Foundation, the National Museum of Cinema has been a non-profit organization with the aim of promoting study and research activities in the field of cinema, photography and image.
Creature from the Black Lagoon by Jack Arnold, USA, 1954
Special effects before the invention of cinema in the modern sense
Model from the film Jaws
Discovering cinema and its history, its origins, its myths and its interpreters, its technologies, is something truly extraordinary. The Museum also promotes recreational and educational projects aimed at schools, as well as intercultural and social comparisons through its cinematographic heritage.
Glimpses of the main hall of the Cinema Museum of Turin
It doesn’t matter if you are a cinema fanatic or simply a sympathizer, you will surely find characters from your childhood and imagination inside this wonderful place. You will feel like you are going back in time, experiencing emotions that only cinema can give you.
Scarf and Hat by the great Federico Fellini
Quote by Émile Zola
Good life to everyone!
Beatrice